Crown Prince & Crown Princess Akishino Current Events Part 1: May 2019 - October 2024

[iceflower]

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended a memorial service commemorating the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake held in Kobe today, January 17:


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[Prisma]

Thanks! Before the 25th anniversary memorial ceremony, the Crown Prince couple visited a disaster prevention display by high school students.

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko offered silent prayers at their residences. [Sankei]

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako attended the 15th anniversary memorial in 2010; Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attended the 20th anniversary memorial in 2015. [Mainichi]

Getty Images

 

[Prisma]

Japan Govt's March 2011 Memorial Ceremony to End in 2021 | Nippon.com

Japanese government-sponsored annual memorial services for the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami will end in 2021 [...]

[...]

At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the government decided to hold the ninth anniversary ceremony for the March 2011 disaster at the National Theatre in Tokyo on March 11. Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko are slated to attend. [...]

I think Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will attend the 10th anniversary memorial in 2021.

 

[iceflower]

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended a traffic safety event in Tokyo today, January 22:



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[Prisma]

On January 28th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited farmers affected by last October's Typhoon No.19 (Typhoon Hagibis) in Date, Fukushima Prefecture. The couple also visited an embankment along the Abukuma River. Crown Prince Akishino is patron of the Agricultural Society of Japan.

Photos: Mainichi, Asahi

 

[Prisma]

Crown Prince Akishino visited Fukuoka Prefecture January 30-31 for the Aquarium Engineers' study group held by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums. He also visited Marine World Uminonakamichi.

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[Prisma]

On February 2nd, Crown Prince Akishino attended the National School and Garden Biotope Competition at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Prince Hisahito was also scheduled to attend but he's still recovering from the flu. [Sankei]

Getty Images

 

[iceflower]

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the Youth Book Report Contest Award Ceremony in Tokyo today, February 7:



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[iceflower]

Crown Princess Kiko attended a meeting held by a women's group to promote the prevention of tuberculosis in Tokyo today, February 12:



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[iceflower]

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the awards ceremony for the 16th Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Prize and Japan Academy Medal in Tokyo today, February 18:



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[Prisma]

On February 14th, Crown Princess Kiko visited a health and welfare center in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture. She was appointed President of Imperial Gift Foundation Boshi-Aiiku-kai (Mother & Child Nursing Association) in 2010.

Photos:
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Video of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko at the 16th Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Prize and Japan Academy Medal ceremony on February 18

 

[Prisma]

Japan crown prince's family donates 300 handmade medical gowns to hospitals - Kyodo News

[...]

The family also included handwritten messages of appreciation along with the gowns, hailing frontline workers for their hard work in saving lives.

About 100 gowns were delivered on May 15 and 200 more on May 22 to the Saiseikai Imperial Gift Foundation Inc., a social welfare organization where the crown prince serves as president, for distribution to its hospitals across the country.

Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, along with their daughters Princess Mako and Princess Kako, first learned on May 11 during an online videoconference with the foundation's officials that hospital staff have been making gowns out of garbage bags due to shortages amid the fight against the new coronavirus.

Prince Hisahito, the couple's youngest child who did not attend the videoconference, also took part in making the gowns.

[...]

More photos: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/photo/30560206

 

[Prisma]

The Akishino family and IHA staff have created a total of 500 handmade medical gowns. The gowns and encouraging messages are being distributed via Saiseikai Imperial Gift Foundation where Crown Prince Akishino serves as president.

Videos/photos of various hospitals around Japan getting the handmade medical gowns.

Fukui received 7 gowns
Photos: Asahi, Mainichi

Okayama

Tokyo

 

[Prisma]

Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Mako and Princess Kako had a video conference with Japanese Red Cross Society President Otsuka Yoshiharu and Vice President Tomita Hiroki on June 19. The meeting discussed rescue activities on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, JRCS hospitals, reduction of blood donations, and other activities regarding COVID-19.

The family expressed gratitude to JRCS staff, volunteers, and medical staff across Japan.

Photos: jrc.or.jp

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[Prisma]

On August 6th, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Prince Hisahito watched the opening ceremony of the 44th National High School Comprehensive Cultural Festival (Soubun Festival) broadcast from Kochi, Kochi Prefecture.

In response to COVID-19, the festival was moved online and will release plays, choruses, calligraphy and works on a website until the end of October.

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[Somebody]

Prince Hisahito didn't appear that interested in the fragment showed. I hope he enjoyed the rest of the show better.

 

[Prisma]

On August 19th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko had a 90-minute online meeting with about 20 students who participated in the 44th National High School Comprehensive Cultural Festival (Soubun Festival).

Video: news.tbs.co.jp

Screenshots from Jiji/TBS/JNN

 

[Prisma]

Crown Princess Kiko celebrates her 54th birthday on September 11. IHA released photos and video taken on August 14 and a written statement. (Google translation)

The Crown Prince couple are looking at materials related to Okinawa in the photos and video.

Photos: Asahi gallery

Larger photos from Sankei, Kyodo, and Mainichi
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Crown princess wants to respect daughter's wish over delayed marriage - Kyodo News

Crown Princess Kiko, who celebrated her 54th birthday on Friday, said she wants to "respect as much as possible" the feelings of her eldest daughter Princess Mako, whose marriage to her boyfriend has been postponed for nearly two years.

"In regards to my eldest daughter's marriage, we should communicate extensively, and it is important that I accept my daughter's feelings as a parent and think about the matter together," the crown princess said in a statement.

[...] the crown princess said it is important to exchange thoughts and ideas with her daughter despite their differences but did not reveal specific discussions they had or the outlook for the couple's marriage.

[...]

The crown princess also touched on the future and the possibility of marriage for her second daughter, Princess Kako, in the statement, saying, "I would like to emphasize the importance of communication and listen to her thoughts if we ever talk (about it)."

[...]

According to the agency, the number of ceremonies and events that the crown princess was scheduled to attend decreased significantly due to the novel coronavirus. She took part in 39 events held online, which included lectures from experts about the impact of the global health crisis.

"I hope the day will soon come when the infectious disease is under control, so that people can gather, work, study and live at ease," she said.

Crown Princess Kiko Marks Her 54th Birthday | Nippon.com

In written answers to questions by journalists prior to her birthday, Crown Princess Kiko expressed her appreciation for medical workers on the front line of the fight against the novel coronavirus.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

I am not sure how to interpret the Crown Princess's comments on her daughter, if indeed there is any meaning at all, but at least they show more understanding towards her daughter than the comments of her father.

I wonder why the Crown Prince and Crown Princess continue to be asked questions about Mako's marriage at each of their birthday conferences. Is it their wish for the opportunity to comment or is there enough concern among the general public that it would be unrealistic to not address it?

 

[iceflower]

Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino attended a cultural event in Tokyo today, October 1:


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[Prisma]

The Crown Prince couple attended the opening event of the 75th Agency for Cultural Affairs (ACA) Arts Festival, featuring traditional performances by living national treasures. It's their first public activity in 7 months since February.

The Akishino couple took over the ACA Arts Festival duty from Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako after the succession.

 

[Prisma]

On September 29th, Crown Prince Akishino had an online meeting with Aomori Prefectural Nakui Agricultural High School students who won the Grand Prix at the 2020 Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition. This is the first time in 16 years a Japanese team has won the award. The Crown Prince is honorary president of Japan Water Prize Committee.

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[iceflower]

Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino attended an autumn memorial ceremony at the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Tokyo today, October 19:


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[Prisma]

Thanks! another photo and video

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[Prisma]

On October 20th, Crown Princess Kiko watched the opening ceremony of the virtual 51st Union World Conference on Lung Health which included her pre-recorded speech. As patron of Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, she also sent another video message for the commendation ceremony for people successfully preventing tuberculosis on October 25 Japan Time. The Crown Princess was scheduled to attend this conference in Spain before the pandemic changed plans. [NHK]

Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Akishino of Japan will attend conference and speak at Opening Ceremony - The Union Conference

Transcript: https://www.jatahq.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/78178d3839806295f58d14f4c5d69ad5.pdf

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Her English speech starts at 18:50

 

[Prisma]

On October 24th, Crown Prince Akishino sent a video message for the 31st Greenery Conservation ceremony held in Fukui, Fukui Prefecture. The scaled down event was originally planned for May.

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[Prisma]

On October 29th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko had online meetings with staff from Fukui Prefecture's agricultural research institute and special needs school.

The couple would have visited both facilities in May during a trip to Fukui for the 31st Greenery Conservation event.

Asahi gallery

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[Prisma]

On October 24th (25th JST), Crown Princess Kiko presented the Princess Chichibu Memorial TB Global Award at the closing ceremony of the virtual 51st Union World Conference on Lung Health.

Transcript: https://www.jatahq.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/1cb74140ea4e82b0368d85429cc58ff5.pdf





Skip to 23:12

 

[Prisma]

On November 5th, Crown Princess Kiko attended the virtual 47th Japan Prize 2020 International Contest for Educational Media award ceremony. Finnish documentary "Gods of Molenbeek" won the Grand Prix award. 282 works from 55 countries and regions were submitted this year. She also sent a recorded message.

Asahi gallery

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NHK is the sponsor and has been uploading videos of the contest.
https://www.nhk.or.jp/jp-prize/english/index.html

 

[Prisma]

On November 12th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended a virtual meeting with Kochi Core Center about research and analysis of submarine strata. The couple would have visited the research facility in July-August during a trip to Kochi Prefecture for the 44th National High School Comprehensive Cultural Festival.

Photos: Asahi